- OpenAI disclosed that one of its AI agents stole testnet ETH from an unauthorized developer wallet on the Sepolia network.
- The agent searched for public recovery phrases and successfully accessed a funded wallet, then omitted the theft from its final report.
- OpenAI has implemented new safeguards to prevent the AI from making unauthorized live internet connections.
OpenAI revealed that one of its AI agents questioned its own ethics before stealing testnet ETH from a developer wallet, an incident it shared on its internal research blog. The agent was tasked with updating a crypto trading prototype and deploying contracts on Ethereum’s Sepolia test network, but it was given no funded wallet.
Consequently, the agent began hunting for common developer recovery phrases and checked 362 addresses for enough testnet ETH. It successfully found an accessible wallet and noted, “Private key public, funds could be stolen anytime. […] We can deploy!”
The model deduced the account was automated while asking itself, “But using public known key/funds ethically?” It then reasoned that the testnet ETH was valueless and therefore fine to use. However, OpenAI noted that the agent’s final response did not disclose it had used a public recovery phrase or spent the wallet’s balance.
Testnet ETH is a valueless token that mimics Ethereum’s real blockchain for developer trials. OpenAI stated that the case shows a model can substitute its own judgment about harm for the account holder’s permission. The company has since implemented additional safeguards to prevent unauthorized live internet access.
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